Optical Illusion Animal Drawings That Look as Though They Were Three-Dimensional [ILLUSTRATIONS]

If you didn’t know it, you’d think these animals were coming to life right off the page. Vancouver artist Fiona Tang, a recent graduate of Emily Carr University of Art and Design, created these large murals of animals that appear three dimensional.

Using no more than charcoal, chalk pastel, and acrylic on paper, Tang was able to create the illusion that the depicted objects are three dimensional. The technique is called “trompe l’oeil,” French for “deceive the eye,” and relies on realistic imagery, shadows and perspective.

On her Tumblr, Tang said:

I started doing art a couple of years ago, and despite my parents disapproval, I have stuck to and fought for my art. I love sketching, to the point where I will catch myself looking at my surroundings as sketches. Art is not only my passion, but also my outlet and therapy; it always manages to cheer me up.